Let there be BorderLight: New theatre festival is drawing performers from around the globe
From the Dublin Theatre Festival in Ireland to the Humana Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, Dale Heinen and Jeffrey Pence have had no shortage of inspiration in planning the debut BorderLight Festival—which they hope will add Cleveland to the list of “second cities” that have become perennial theatre festival destinations.
“In places like London, Chicago, and New York, these types of events can get lost in the other activities going on,” explains Heinen, BorderLight Festival co-founder and co-director. “We’ve seen the placemaking power and what a great economic engine performing arts festivals can be for places that are not huge cities.”
Waiting On Godot – Robert HawkesTo that end, approximately 10,000 people are expected to attend the first BorderLight Festival, which begins tomorrow, July 24, and concludes Saturday, July 27. The festival’s lineup will span 40 productions and 11 venues—with participating performers and touring companies hailing from Bolivia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Syria, and the U.S.